Santi Giovanni e Reparata, Religious complex in Lucca, Italy
Santi Giovanni e Reparata is a church in Lucca with three naves supported by columns with decorated capitals, featuring a central apse and transept in Romanesque style. Beneath the building, visitors can explore archaeological layers through metal walkways, revealing Roman mosaics, bathing facilities, and early medieval burial sites.
The site originated in the 5th century on Roman settlement remains and later served as a cemetery before returning to religious functions in the 8th century. This layering of phases makes the place a record of the transition from antiquity to the Middle Ages.
The church displays religious artworks and archaeological finds from different periods, documenting how pagan spaces transformed into Christian ones. Visitors can observe how earlier cultures left their objects behind, which were later integrated into new religious practices.
The complex can be visited year-round and offers access to the church, baptistery, bell tower, and archaeological excavations under a single ticket. Those wanting to explore all areas should allow ample time and wear comfortable shoes, as metal staircases and uneven floors can be challenging.
A Roman sarcophagus from the 2nd century carved with scenes of a Dionysian procession was later repurposed as an altar in the church centuries afterward. This conversion of a pagan object shows how early Christians incorporated existing artifacts into their own faith practices.
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